Dance Injuries- Prevention and Treatment

Question 1

What are the three most common injury sites for dancers?

Answer 1

Lower back, knees and the hip.

Question 2

Why is the lower back a common injury site for dancers?

Answer 2

Not engaging the abdominals (muscular imbalance), not sufficient rest between strenuous sessions, anterior tilt of the pelvis, having one leg more flexible than the other

Question 3

Why are the knees a common injury site for dancers?

Answer 3

Forcing turnout (using incorrect technique), absorbing shock repeatedly when jumping or running. The knees have to weight bare.

Question 4

Why is the hip a common injury site for dancers?

Answer 4

Forcing turnout (using incorrect technique)

Question 5

Give the top 5 ways that dance injuries can be prevented.

Answer 5

1) Teachers knowledge of anatomy 2) effective warm up and cool down to flush out the lactic acid 3) an appropriate environment to dance in 4) full concentration at all times 5) rest periods and ensuring that dancers get enough sleep

Question 6

How might an injury physically affect a dancer?

Answer 6

Reversibility may occur as a result of not being able to train in technique and fitness, there may be ongoing or recurring injury, medical intervention may be required and there is a potential for it to become a weakness.

Question 7

How might an injury psychologically affect a dancer?

Answer 7

There may be a decrease in confidence, depression and frustration as a result of watching others perform and improve whilst you can’t.

Question 8

How might an injury affect a dancer in terms of their career and studies?

Answer 8

Less auditions will be attended, there will be less work, could completely change the type of job you get or the style that you perform (ballerina) and dancers may miss out on opportunities and certain roles.

Question 9

What is the common injury that affects muscles?

Answer 9

A muscle STRAIN

Question 10

What is the difference between a grade I, II and III muscle strain?

Answer 10

Grade I is where on fibre in the muscle has snapped. Grade II is where there is a slight tare. Grade III is where the muscle has completely torn in half.

Question 11

What is the cause of a muscle strain?

Answer 11

Excessive or rapid stretching, contracting for too long or with too much force or a constant misuse or overuse of a muscle group.

Question 12

What affect on the body does a muscle strain have?

Answer 12

Muscle fibres tare and become damaged. Grade I is far less severe than grade III.

Question 13

How does a muscle strain affect performance?

Answer 13

It will reduce endurance and jump height, the dancer will have a limited range of movement and performance skills will be decreased.

Question 14

What affect on the body does shin splints have?

Answer 14

Exercise induced pain in the front of the legs (tibia)

Question 15

What is the cause of shin splints?

Answer 15

Dancing on a surface that is too hard, overuse, gripping the floor, supination or pronation, suddenly increasing the intensity of the activity.

Question 16

What are the symptoms of shin splints?

Answer 16

Pain in the tibia, unable to weight bare, can’t touch your leg.

Question 17

How do shin splints affect performance?

Answer 17

Inability to train or perform which can lead to reversibility in strength, stamina or flexibility.

Question 18

What are the symptoms of fractures?

Answer 18

Extreme pain and being unable to weight bare.

Question 19

What is the cause of fractures?

Answer 19

A major trauma though faulty landings or misuse.

Question 20

What affect on the body do fractures have?

Answer 20

The partial or total loss of continuity of a bone.

Question 21

How do fractures affect performance?

Answer 21

Inability to train or perform which can lead to reversibility in strength, stamina or flexibility. Long term this could lead to muscular imbalance.

Question 22

What is another common skeletal injury (other than stress fractures and fractures.)?

Answer 22

A fracture of the 5th metatarsal due to landing on a supinated foot.

Question 23

What effect will torn cartilage have on the bones?

Answer 23

Bones will ware down much faster as a result of increased bone to bone contact.

Question 24

What are the symptoms of injury to the ligaments?

Answer 24

Swelling, bruising and being tender to touch.

Question 25

What is the cause of injury to the ligaments?

Answer 25

Improper placement of the foot when landing jumps or leaps or when en pointe, rapid stretching or supination.

Question 26

What effect on the body does a ligament injury have?

Answer 26

Reduced movement ability, weaker ligament and on term weakness, unable to weight bare.

Question 27

How does a ligament injury effect performance?

Answer 27

Unable to rehearse or train, physio and rehab required as well as long periods of rest.

Question 28

What is the cause of injury to the cartilage?

Answer 28

Excessive shock absorption (in knees especially), misuse of muscle groups.

Question 29

What are the two cartilage injuries that can occur?

Answer 29

A tare (muscular imbalance) or erosion through friction.

Question 30

What effect will a cartilage injury have on the body?

Answer 30

Bones will experience increasing levels of friction and will have very limited shock absorbing ability.

Question 31

How does cartilage injury affect performance?

Answer 31

Inability to train or perform which can lead to reversibility in strength, stamina or flexibility.